Loom shuttle



June 22, 1943. J. ELJOHNSON- LOOM SHUTTLE Filed Nov. 2, 1942 iwdemr IV awifaf/mrm Patented June 22, 1943 LOOM SHUTTLE John Edward Johnson, Millbury, Mass, assignor to Watson-Williams Manufacturing Company, Millbury, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application November 2, 1942, Serial No. 464,199

5 Claims.

This invention relates to a loom shuttle in which a weft carrier or bobbin is removably mounted on a pivoted spindle, such a shuttle being shown, for example, in the prior patent to Spencer, No. 2,252,819, issued August 19, 1941.

It is the general object of my invention to provide an improved construction in this type of spindle, so designed that a smoother and easier spindle motion is secured and that the spindle is more accurately centered and more fimly held when in operative or yarn-delivery position.

My invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in the drawing, in which Fig, 1 is a plan View of a portion of a shuttle embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial sectional side elevation, taken along the line 22 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation, taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the spindle-holding spring; and

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the spring, looking in the direction of the arrow 5 in Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawing, I have shown a portion of a shuttle body l having a spindle l2 pivotally mounted on a bolt M which extends transversely of the shuttle body and which has its head l and nut l6 seated in suitable recesses in the side walls of the body. A weft carrier or bobbin B is freely slidable on the spindle l2, and the butt 20 of the bobbin B is seated against a flange 2| formed on the spindle.

The spindle l2 and bobbin B are shown in running or operative position in full lines in Fig. 2, and are also shown in dotted lines in raised position to permit removal and replacement of the bobbin. All of the parts thus far described are of the usual commercial construction, as shown for instance in the patent to Spencer above cited.

The improved means which I have provided for centering and securing the spindle in running position and for preventing axial displacement of the bobbin on the spindle comprises a U-shaped spring 3|), seated in a corresponding recess 3| in the shuttle body l0 and having transverse holes 32 to receive the bolt M. A cross pin 33 additionally secures the spring 30.

At its free or open end, the two side portions 34 of the spring 30 are more widely spaced apart and are provided with end flanges 35 and with .grooved segmental recesses 36 on their inner faces. The upper parts of the end flanges 35 are cut away as clearly shown in Fig. 5 to freely receive the bobbin B.

As the spindle I2 and bobbin B are moved from the dotted line position to the full line position in Fig. 3, the spindle flange 2| engages the side portions 34 of the spring 30 and forces these side portions apart until the flange 2| is received and seated in the segmental grooves 36.

The spring 30 then firmly engages and clamps the spindle, and the spindle is accurately centered and secured in running position, all by the seating of the flange 2| in the segmental grooves 36 as clearly shown in Fig. 3. At the same time, the end flanges 35 of the side portions 34 of the spring receive the butt 20 of the bobbin with slight clearance, and prevent any substantial axial displacement of the bobbin during the running of the shuttle. The raised position of the spindle is determined by engagement of an end surface of the spindle with the inside of the end Wall of the spring 30.

It will be noted in Fig. 1 that the flange 2| engages the side portions 34 of the spring 3|] near their extreme outer ends and at a substantial distance from the pivot bolt I4. Consequently, the spindle may be moved downward to operative osition with a smooth and easy motion, as the relatively large diameter of the flange 2| provides a cam action on the spring side portions 34. The flange 2| is preferably hardened and polished to reduce friction and to substantially eliminate wear.

The engagement of the spring 30 and spindle |2 at the flange 2| is at a point substantially removed from the pivot bolt l4, whereby the centering and holding effect of the spring is much increased.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is:

1. In a loom shuttle, a bobbin-holding spindle having a flange engaged by the butt of the bob- .bin, means to pivot said spindle in said shuttle, and a substantially U-shaped spring secured in said shuttle and having the inner surfaces of its free end portions directly engaging said spindle flange and thereby retaining said spindle in operative running position.

2. In a loom shuttle, a bobbin-holding spindle having a flange engaged by the butt of the bobbin, means to pivot said spindle in said shuttle,

and a substantially U-shaped spring secured in said shuttle and having the inner surfaces of its spaced free end portions grooved and directly engaging said spindle flange, said flange separating said spring end portions with an easy cam action and said spring thereafter engaging said flange and thereby retaining said spindle in operative running position.

3. In a loom shuttle, a, bobbin-holding spindle having a flange engaged by the butt of the bobbin, means to pivot said spindl in said shuttle, and a substantially U-shaped spring secured in said shuttle and having the inner surfaces of its spaced free end portions grooved and directly engaging said spindle flange at a point substantially spaced axially from the spindle pivot, said flange separating said spring end portions with an easy cam action and said spring thereafter engaging said flange and thereby retaining said spindle in operative running position.

4. In a loom shuttle, a bobbin-holding spindle having a flange engaged by the butt of the bobbin, means to pivot said spindle in said shuttle, and a substantially U-shaped spring secured in said shuttle and having the inner faces of its spaced free end portions provided with segmental grooves which directly engage and position opposite edge portions of said spindle flange, thereby retaining said spindle in operative running position.

' 5. In a loom shuttle, a bobbin-holding spindle having a flange engaged by the butt of the bobbin, means to pivot said spindle in said shuttle, and a substantially U-shaped spring secured in said shuttle and having the inner faces of its spaced free end portions provided with grooved recesses which directly engage opposite edge portions of said spindle flange to hold said spindle in operative running position, and said free end portions also having inwardly projecting end flanges which loosely enclose the butt of the bobbin and Which prevent substantial axial displacement of said bobbin on said spindle.

JOHN EDWARD JOHNSON. 

